Haneefah Adam: She’s Giving Barbie a Makeover

January 23 - On The Dot

FIRST THOUGHT: No Plastic Smiles

In Toy Story 3, Barbie meets Ken. Sure, he’s good looking, rockin’ six-pack abs and a killer smile, but it’s something else that really catches Barbie’s attention: his closet. From cute cowboy getups to disco-ready outfits, Ken’s got it all. Plus, he ends up being a sweet guy. Ken and Barbie’s shared obsession with their wardrobes aside, they were clearly made for one another. And while Ken’s closet doesn’t exactly cause my heart to flutter, it got me thinking about how important it is to have a real connection with someone. Today, take a few minutes to let those who are important in your life know how you really feel. And you don’t have to be all dolled up when you do!

WOMEN IN NUMBERS:1959

The Barbie doll hit the shelves in 1959 and for decades, has been adored by girls everywhere. There’s no question, though, that Barbie maker Mattel released some seriously weird and even downright sexist Barbie iterations along the way. For instance, there was Slumber Party Barbie, which came with a diet book, Student Teacher Barbie (because in the 1960s, a woman being an actual teacher was a stretch?) and perhaps the most shocking of them all, Teen Talk Barbie who’s favorite phrase to utter was “Math class is tough!” Seriously? I say Mattel missed a golden opportunity to provide girls with some strong female role models. No wonder I never liked Barbie!

WOMAN TO WATCH: Haneefah Adam, Creator of Hijarbie

One of the most widely discussed criticisms of Barbie is that she provides unrealistic depictions of girls and women. From her pencil-thin waist to minimal skin-tone choices, it’s difficult for many girls to see themselves in Barbie. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you the story of Haneefah Adam, a Nigerian girl who decided to take things into her own hands and create a Barbie doll that is truly a relatable roll model.

With her haute-couture Hijarbie designs, you might think this 24-year-old is a fashion designer in the making. But she’s actually a medical scientist, and has a master’s degree in pharmacology. Yep, she’s clever, talented and incredibly smart, to boot!